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Best Places To Pick Summer Fruit Near Baltimore

July 18, 2014 8:00 AM

Summer has arrived, and with it, prime growing season, meaning there is plenty of fruit to go around. Plus, longer days will give you a few extra hours to travel out to a local farm and pick some delicious, sun-ripened fruit straight from the earth. Whether you’re craving cherries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, nectarines, apples or tomatoes, these farms are ready to supply. Just be sure to always call first before driving out to confirm that picking is open for the day and which fruits are in season. No matter which farm you choose to visit, remember that early pickers get the best fruit, so don’t wait too long.

Located on a 50-acre farm in Baltimore County, Hybridoma Organic Fruit Farm is certified organic by the state’s Department of Agriculture and utilizes natural fertilizations and pest control on its berry produce – leaving consumers worry-free to pick their own and taste a few in the process. In June and July, pick fresh blueberries, early red raspberries and black raspberries. Then come back in August for blackberries and red raspberries. For the 2014 berry season, the farm is open every Wednesday and Saturday until the end of August for picking. Choose to bring your own containers or use a one- or two-gallon pail conveniently supplied by Hybridoma Farm. This is a place that’s easy for pickers to spend several hours visiting as there are several picnic tables for snacking and a swing and slide playhouse for kids to enjoy.

Celebrating 100 years of excellence, Baugher’s is home to a delicious variety of fruit that is just waiting to be picked. In June, there are strawberries and sweet and sour cherries, followed by nectarines and plums in July and August. Peaches run from late June to late September with apples in by August and continuing into the fall season. When you arrive, wagons will take you to the field and containers are provided for easy picking. The market area offers restrooms, drinks, picnic tables and playgrounds for further entertainment – or a spot to enjoy your tasty findings.

From late May when the strawberry crop ripens until early November when the last apple drops, Larriland Farm produces high-quality fruits that have people traveling from all over to pick and taste for themselves. Fruits that are available throughout the summer months include strawberries, tart and sweet cherries, red, black and purple raspberries, blueberries and thornless blackberries. Additionally, the farm has an impressive variety of peaches and apples for pickers come late summer. In case pickers lose steam, just stop in at the Red Barn for a large assortment of pre-picked fruits and vegetables as well as jams and jellies, among other treats.

Strawberries, sour cherries, peaches, tomatoes and apples – as long as they’re available, they are all pick-your-own at Lohr’s Orchard just north of Baltimore. During the fruit and vegetable season, picking is open seven days a week. There is also a retail farm stand open for guests to shop for additional produce. During the apple season, gift baskets are for sale and come stocked with a mix of jams, jellies, apple butter and honey in addition to some juicy fresh-from-the-orchard apples. Cider is also available, just inquire to add this to your purchase.

There is always a demand for juicy red strawberries at Harman’s Farm Market, and this fact alone may lead many to rush over to the farm just to find out what they’re missing. As of May 29th, the mouth-watering strawberry season has opened, although the pick-your-own program will not be offered every day, so calling ahead is a must. Pickers should bring their own containers and an empty stomach. Additional fruits available for purchase include cantaloupe, watermelon, canary melons, tomatoes, as well as peaches and apples from Colora Orchards in Cecil County. All of the fresh fruit and vegetables available on this farm are started from seed, so arguably it’s all of this extra care and dedication given to the plants that makes them so delectable.

Keri Ann Beazell is a Baltimore writer following the latest developments in arts and culture, natural wonders, lifestyle and pets. She enjoys promoting thought-provoking discussions, education, new ideas and smiles among readers. Follow her online at beazellblog.com and Examiner.com.